Documents could undercut halt to John Doe probe

MADISON – A John Doe investigation into Gov. Scott Walker's campaign has been on hold for months after two separate judges tossed out a prosecutor's theory that the campaign coordinated with a conservative group to circumvent state campaign finance laws.

But new documents released temporarily Friday in a federal lawsuit related to the case show special prosecutor Francis Schmitz might have evidence that Walker's campaign coordinated with two national groups, potentially raising a brighter red flag than previously known.

"If indeed there's evidence that there were outside groups coordinating express advocacy ads with the Walker campaign, then that would completely undercut the basis for (U.S. District) Judge (Rudolph) Randa's decision to halt the investigation," said Tara Malloy, a lawyer with the Campaign Legal Center in Washington, D.C.